“I have no letters of recommendation.”  Enoch’s smile was grim.  “I’d do my share of the work, and pay for my board.  I might not be the best of company, for I’m tired.  Very tired.”

His massive head drooped as he spoke and his thin fine lips betrayed a pain and weariness that even the fitful light of the fire could not conceal.  There was a silence for a moment, then a burro screamed, and Mackay got to his feet.

“There’s Mamie burro making trouble again.  Come and help me catch her, Curly.”

Enoch sat quietly waiting while a low voiced colloquy that did not seem related to the obstreperous Mamie went on in the shadow beyond the rocks.  Then the two men came back.

“All right, Smith,” said Mack.  “We’re willing to give it a try.  A camping trip’s like marriage, you know, terrible trying on the nerves.  So if we don’t get on together, it’s understood you’ll turn back, eh?”

“Yes,” Enoch nodded.

“All right!  We’ll charge you a dollar and a half a day for yourself and your horse.  We’re to share and share alike in the work.”

“I’m exceedingly grateful!” exclaimed Enoch.

“All right!  We hope you’ll get rested,” said Curly.  “And I advise you to begin now.  Have you been sleeping well?  How long have you been out?”

“Three nights.  I’ve slept rottenly.”

“I thought so.  Let me show you how to scoop out sand so’s to make a hollow for your hips and your shoulders, and I’ll bet you’ll sleep.”

And Enoch did sleep that night better than for several weeks.  He was stiff and muscle sore when he awoke at dawn, but he felt clearer headed and less mentally feverish than he had the previous day.  Curly and Mack were still asleep when he stole over to the spring to wash and shave.  It was biting cold, but he felt like a new man when he had finished his toilet and stood drawing deep breaths while he watched the dawn approach through the magnificent desert distances.  He gathered some greasewood and came back to build the fire, but his camp mates had forestalled him.  While he was at the spring the men had both wakened and the fire was blazing merrily.

Breakfast was quickly prepared and eaten.  Enoch established himself as the camp dish washer, much to the pleasure of Curly, who hitherto had borne this burden.  After he had cleaned and packed the dishes, Enoch went out for Pablo, who had strayed a quarter of a mile in his search for pasturage.  After a half hour of futile endeavor Mack came to his rescue, and in a short time the cavalcade was ready to start.

They were not an unimposing outfit.  Mack led.  The half dozen burros, with their packs followed, next came Curly, and Enoch brought up the rear.  There was little talking on the trail.  The single file, the heavy dust, and the heat made conversation too great an effort.  And Enoch was grateful that this was so.

To-day he made a tremendous endeavor to keep his mind off Luigi and the Brown papers.  He found he could do this by thinking of Diana.  And so he spent the day with her, and resolved that if opportunity arose that night, to write to her, in the black diary.